Bicycle Safety & Security

Working together we can promote an environment in which bicycles, pedestrians, and motor vehicles can safely co-exist. Bicycles are an efficient, enjoyable, and environmentally sound way to get around, and we encourage the safe and courteous use of bicycles. If you will be riding a bike around town, please take a few moments to become familiar with this information.

Ding! Ding! - Outa My Way!

Bicyclists
Please respect the rights of those who can't get around as easily as you can! They may not be able to see or hear you approach, or be able to move quickly out of the way of a speeding bicycle. Their safety depends on your courtesy! When passing pedestrians, please bear this in mind.

Access rails and ramps that have been provided near the entrances to buildings to help people with disabilities enter those buildings. The visually impaired use them as a guide to the door, and people with impaired mobility use them for support and balance. Bicycles chained to access rails or left on ramps may prevent people from getting into the building, and people with disabilities have been injured in falls over carelessly-placed bicycles. Even under the best of circumstances, it can be a challenge for some people to get around - please don't add to their difficulty. Never chain a bike to an access rail or park it on a access ramp.

Theft Prevention
Bike theft is a nationwide problem. Troutdale is not immune to this problem. Bicycles are among the most frequently stolen of property in Troutdale. Most of the bicycles stolen were either UNLOCKED or had been secured with POOR QUALITY LOCKS at the time of the theft. It takes only a few seconds for a thief to get away with your bike when it is left unlocked.

Here are some suggestions which may help you in preventing a bike theft:

Cable or Chain Lock
1. Use a cable or chain at least 3/8" in diameter.
2. Use a key lock with a 3/8" hardened shackle with heel and toe locking.
3. Pull up all slack in the cable or chain and make sure the lock is as high off the ground as possible.

U-Locks
1. Bike with quick release wheels - release the front wheel and include this with the rear wheel and frame.
2. Bike without quick release wheels - secure the lock through both tire and frame.

ALWAYS secure the bike to a bike rack! If your bike is not secured to a solid object, all a thief has to do is pick it up and carry it away or toss it in a car trunk or van. This has happened MANY times before- don't let it happen to you.

Spend at least 10% of the cost of your bike on security. If you have a $1,000 bike you should spend on your lock and chain or other security equipment than if your bike cost only $100. In any event, consider how much it will cost to REPLACE your bike when deciding how much you can afford to spend PROTECTING your bike.

CHOOSE carefully where and how you park your bike. Choose well-lighted, public places. Bike thieves prefer that you park in dark less-traveled areas; don't cooperate.

REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY - particularly persons loitering around bike racks. We just LOVE to catch bike thieves. Help us get them before they get your bike.

Ride Safely

When you ride your bike on a sidewalk, you must yield to pedestrians. Some sidewalk areas with heavy pedestrian traffic are signed prohibiting riding bicycles on the sidewalk.
When you ride on the road, your bike is a vehicle and you must obey traffic laws.
Scan the area behind. Learn to look back over your shoulder without losing your balance or swerving left. Some riders use helmet-mounted or bike-mounted rear-view mirrors. Always look back before changing lanes or changing positions within your lane, and only move when no other vehicle is in your way.
Go slowly on sidewalks and bike paths. Pedestrians have the right-of-way. Give pedestrians audible (horn/bell/word) warning when you pass. Don't cross driveways or intersections without slowing to walk's pace and looking very carefully for traffic, especially traffic turning right.
When on the road, ride in a straight line whenever possible. Ride with, not against, the traffic. Keep to the right, but stay about a car-door-width away from parked cars.
Avoid road hazards. Watch out for parallel-slat sewer grates, slippery manhole covers, oily pavement, gravel and ice. Cross railroad tracks and speed bumps carefully at right angles. Troutdale has a number of designated "bike routes" which are signed and marked for bike traffic. Use these routes whenever possible.
Choose the best way to turn left. There are two ways to make a left turn:

1. Like an auto, look, signal, move into the left lane, and turn left.
2. Like a pedestrian, ride straight to the far-side crosswalk. Walk your bike across.
Obey traffic signs and signals. By law, cyclists must obey traffic laws when bicycles are ridden on streets in Troutdale and roads within the State of Oregon.

Ride A Properly Equipped Bike

Always use a strong headlight and taillight at night and when visibility is poor. (By law to ride you must have a light-emitting headlight visible for at least 500 feet and a red reflector visible for 50 to 300 feet from the rear.)
Be sure your bike is adjusted to fit you properly.
For safety and efficiency, outfit it with a horn/bell, rear-view mirror(s), fenders (for rainy rides), and racks, baskets or bike bags.

How To Ride In Traffic

(Rule 1): Be Predictable. Ride so drivers can see you and predict your movements.

Obey traffic signs and signals. Bicycles must obey traffic laws like other vehicles.

Never ride against traffic. Motorists aren't looking for bicyclists riding on the left side of the road. Ride on the right, with the traffic.

Use hand signals when initiating a turn. Hand signals tell motorists what you intend to do. Signal as a matter of law, of courtesy and of self-protection.

Ride in a straight line. Whenever possible, ride in a straight like, to the right of traffic but about a car-door-width away from parked cars.

Don't weave between parked cars. Don't ride over to the curb between parked cars, unless they are far apart. Motorists may not see you when you move back into traffic.

Ride in middle of lane in slow traffic. Get in the middle of the lane at busy intersections and whenever you are moving at the same speed as traffic. (Remember, your bike IS a vehicle when on the road and you ARE allowed to operate it in the middle of the traffic lane, not just at the right edge, when traffic is slow. You're also responsible for signalling and stopping at stop signs and traffic lights like other vehicles.)

Follow lane markings. Don't turn left from the right lane. Don't go straight in a lane marked right-turn-only.

Choose the best way to turn left. Remember: There are two ways to make a left turn:

1) Like an auto. Signal, move into the left lane and turn left.
2) Like a pedestrian.

Don't pass on the right. Motorists may not look for or see a bicycle passing on the right.

Go slow on shared paths. Yield to pedestrians. Give pedestrians audible warning when you pass. Do not ride on sidewalks where prohibited.

When biking with others, ride in line when other traffic is present.

Rule 2: Be Alert Ride defensively and expect the unexpected.

Watch for cars pulling out. Make eye contact with drivers. Assume they don't see you until you are sure they do.

Scan the road behind. Learn to look back over your shoulder without losing your balance or swerving left. Some riders use rear-view mirrors.

Avoid road hazards. Watch for sewer grates, slippery manhole covers, oily spots, gravel, ice. Cross railroad tracks carefully at right angles.

Keep both hands ready to brake. You may not stop in time if you brake one-handed. Allow extra distance for stopping in the rain.